Bramford meadow

The meadow sprawls east of Ipswich, a proper slice of Suffolk wetland that doesn't announce itself loudly but rewards those who bother to find it. It's the sort of place where you actually see things - marsh harriers quartering over the reeds, dragonflies thick as flies on a summer afternoon, the occasional muntjac deer picking its way through the scrub. Walking here feels less manicured than some nature reserves; the paths are straightforward enough but you're genuinely out in it.

Birmingham birdwatchers and casual nature lovers will find their time well spent, especially spring through early autumn when the place properly comes alive. If your kids are past the "why aren't we at the beach" phase and can handle a few hours of low-key spotting, they'll probably enjoy it. Summer's the obvious choice, though autumn migration can be unexpectedly good.

It's an excellent addition to a park holiday in the area - The Lost Garden Retreat and Wheathill are both close enough for a morning visit without any faffing about. Don't expect visitor facilities or admission fees to worry about; it's the sort of reserve that's just there, free and accessible. Allow two to three hours to do it properly rather than rushing round. You won't see exotic birds or rare species that'll make you Instagram famous, but you will see Suffolk as it actually is - which is precisely the point.